Sparks bounced off metal plates and illuminated the air behind black curtains inside the welding classroom.

A soft laughter and excitement burst from a table encircled by Victoria school district high school students tinkering with machinery.

With his Skills USA gold medal tossed over his shoulder, senior Grant McGehee, 18, was shielded from the flames shooting out from the welding torch.

His classmates and welding fabrication teammates Jeffery Newport, 18, and Tyler Hessler, 17, both seniors, were preparing for their trip to Kansas City in June when they'll be competing in a national welding competition for the first time.

Hessler was unable to make it to the state competition due to a sudden but brief illness but will still be traveling with his teammates to nationals.